Tuesday, 28 December 2010

The Christmas chaos has finished (almost!) and I have work to do. I am having a clear out ready for big changes in 2011. Because of this I am having a sale, so all those wanting one of my lovely pinnies at a fraction of the price, pop over to one of my shops!!! I have sale items in both my Folksy shop and my Etsy shop.

I will be adding more items over the next few days, so keep your eyes peeled more more goodies.

Hope that you have all had a good Christmas, and that you are managing to find time to sit back and have a bit of a relax. Best wishes to all. x

Monday, 20 December 2010

fa la la la la... okay, maybe not, but we (myself and that crafty Fairy) have been having a homemade Christmas. I admit, it is nowhere near the extent of Kirsty Allsop's Homemade Christmas, but we are dipping in our toes.

The children's (mine & neices/nephews) presents are finished, and yesterday I felt I had enough time to spend a few minutes surfing the online crafting community where I came across this fantastic paper snowflake. I saw it and simply had to make one!! It is fabulous, and although it looks pretty tricky to make, it is actually quite simple. You can make one, or loads (as I intend to do time permitting), by following the instructions Kate from M is for Make has very kindly shared.

We also got down to making some mince pies...

... and the Fairy made a gift for the birds with the left over pastry.

I am sure that the birds will love them, and we will love watching them being devoured.

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Brrrrr......... yesterday it was like this when we got up. I had planned a visit into town to get a few bits and pieces, but there was no way we were going anywhere except in the garden to play in the snow. Unfortunately the snow was beautiful powder snow and was impossible to 'sculpt' into a snowman. So we had to throw it around instead!!

After lunch whilst the Tinker was in bed, I decided we had better make a start on the crackers the Fairy and I were making for Christmas day. On the whole crackers annoy me, they cost a fortune, generally have rubbish gifts, hats that don't fit and dreadful jokes, which is why I decided it should be a Fairy activity.

We have been collecting toilet roll tubes and I had bought some snappers from Ebay. First we made some of the gifts to go inside (very useful gifts!!!). We haven't done jokes, I'd asked the Fairy if she new any and I got the knock knock Dr Who joke.... hmmmmm. Er... we haven't done hats either as I thought about them a little too late in the game. Although we were missing some (not so essential) essentials, we laid out our bits and pieces by the fire and got to work, and this is what we made....

... I thought they looked good but had a feeling the Fairy would want to embellish them. I was right, and cringed slightly when she said yes she would like to add sparkly bits. I left her to her own devices at this point and when I returned this is what we had....

... fantastically classy looking crackers. What a good job she has done. I couldn't believe that they hadn't been covered!!!! It makes me realize how grown up she has become.

Tuesday, 14 December 2010

Firstly, I can't keep up with myself.... I should have done the post last week, but didn't get round to it!!!

About a week and a half ago, the Fairy came home from school stating that she wanted to be a Victorian girl on a school trip to Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley the following week. I can't say I wasn't aware of it, I was. I had received a letter from school saying they could dress up if they wish, but hadn't mentioned it to her... hoping that she wouldn't be interested... as if!!!!

My response was "Okay love, I'll see what I can do".

There was no way she was going to be gentry... so she got a maids outfit.

I made the dress by adapting a simple top from this book by Emma Hardy. It is a lovely book that my mum gave me recently, it has lovely images, and simple instructions for some quick makes. Unfortunately, it only goes to age 5, and the Fairy is a big 6 year old so I can't just follow a pattern, I have to re-jig it!

This is the pattern I adapted. Very simple, and quick to make. Perfect.

Then came the pinny, and I seized the opportunity to create a prototype for my new children's pinny (that has been flying around in my head for months), a new range for 2011. I was please with the outcome. A little more tweaking to do with it, but I am looking forward to using some fabulous fabrics on it!! Hope fully I will be able to grab some time over Christmas to make some!!! Am I being optimistic?

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

... I had blogged about this necklace here. It is made by Brazen Hussies based in snowy Scotland, and it is even more beautiful on than it is on this image. I couldn't believe it when I opened the box!! My lovely mum had read my blog and secretly bought it. What a fab surprise!!

I also got this fantastic teapot...

... I love the birds, but I also think the shape is fantastic too. It is by Hannah Turner and she has lots more lovely items.

I was also bought this...

... one of Silvermousey's anodised aluminium bangles. Miss Silvermousey is a local artist I met this year, and like to have lunch with when we have chance. Her and my sister have been being sneaky!!

And then I bought myself this...

... another birdie!!! This cute jug is by Faye Power, another local artist. I bought this when I visited Drumcroon Gallery in Wigan on my birthday. They currently have a Christmas Art and Craft exhibition on at the moment, and you can go and by lots of lovely gifts for friends and family (or yourself of course!!!)

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Hooray, we have snow... not quite as much as other parts of the country, in fact nowhere near as much, but it is still snow!!! I must venture out into the cold to refill the birds 'restaurant' (aptly named by the Fairy).

I am very pleased that my hubby and I spent the past few weeks taking out our gas fire, re-fashioning the fireplace, mixing concrete and laying lovely slate tiles for our new multi-fuel burner so that we could have it fitted at the end of last week. So, even though it is a little on the chilly side, we are toasty warm inside!!! We still have work to do, but that can wait until the festive season, when all my present making has ceased and I have time to work again!

Earlier in the week the Fairy and I set about making some birds to hang as Christmas decorations...

... I made her a template and drew round it on some lovely vintage style paper so that she could cut them out. She then made concertina wings. I will put thread in the top of them so they can be hung up in our living room. Really simple, but very pretty and she really enjoyed making them.

About Me

I am a Lancashire lass, and the mum of two very gorgeous and very cheeky children. These are my ramblings about my collections of lovely items for the home I design and make, general chatter, yummy food and pretty things that keep me busy!
Loula Belle's aim is to put a little glamour into mundane chores and bring out your inner Goddess!

Loula Belle At Home Stockists Online

Products in my Etsy shop

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My Family Tree Paper Cut was chosen for...

Personalised Family Tree - bespoke hand cut papercuts made to order

A special and unique gift for any family

Candy Quilt

One of my favourite quilts!

One of my lovely pinnies

This is one of may favourites to date. It got snapped up about five minutes after I had put it on 'Bob' (my mannequin) at the last stall I had. More pinnies available in my shop. Click on the image to get there.

I Love Flowers...

... I drive my husband mad because I end up taking photos of flowers wherever I go. This is Hibiscus, taken in the castle grounds in Tavira, Portugal, on our honeymoon in 2007 (it took us 11 years before we got married!!!).